Chomping on the bit

[lusty]

Can anyone offer advice?
My horse constantly chomps on his bit which is rather annoying. He is meant to be ridden in a double bridle at shows, but when not at shows i use a normal snaffle. Anyone got any suggestions i can try him in?
The myler bits give more tongue room but dont come in 6 inches.
Someone esle has said it is because he wants more in his mouth!?! surely 2 bits is plenty!
Had his teeth checked all ok.
Any ideas??

 

[Paint it Lucky]

It can be a ign of discomfort (though some horses just do it out of habit). You could try him in a bit of a different material, ie nathe, happymouth, cyprium, sweet iron etc. My own horse is a bit chomper, I have found he seems happiest in a myler mullen mouth (that gives a lot of tongue room), but this doesn't give enough control so I ride him in a happymouth (which he chomps a little but far less than most bits). Could you use a pelham at shows instead, prehaps a happymouth?

 

[dozzie]

Does he chomp in the snaffle or is it just the double?

If its just the double then I would suspect it might be that he is unhappy with the two bits. You could try riding him more frequently at home in the double so he gets used to it (and have some lessons in it too )or ride him in a pelham with two reins when showing- I think a lot of ponies are shown in pelhams because their mouths arent big enough for the two bits.

If he chomps all the time then could be tension/pain or just habit. Hope that help a little.

 

[morgan4eva]

My horse chomps when he is not having to concente on anything else. I am sure he just loves the noise it makes (he is a terrible fidget even in the stable) If I put him in a rubber bit he squeaks it with his teeth, if he has a bit with a curb he shakes it up and down to jingle it! In a happy mouth or vulcanite bit he is best because he cant get a tune out of it!

 

[lusty]

Thankyou all for your advice i have tried him in a few different bits, hanging cheek, cherry roller, french link. he feels alot nicer in the double doesnt seem to make any difference if i ride him in it all the time. I have noticed he does it more if his nervous or wound up and stroppy.
Would have liked to tried a myler but they dont do them in 6 inches. Any more advice much appreciated!

 

[Bossanova]

Are the bits high enough in his mouth? Make sure he has 1 or 2 wrinkles caused by the bradoon and that the curb sits just below that

 

[lusty]

Yes bits are in the right position, i wonder if its just a habit his developed, just a very annoying one and if so how can you stop it.
Keep sending me your thoughts maybe i will get to the bottom of it that way!
Thankyou